Process of how to fabricate the microchannel plate

Abstract

Disclosed are the processes of how to fabricate the microchannel plate for use in electron image intensifying by using a number of glass pipes, each consisting of glass material containing oxides of alkaline earth metals, i.e., magnesium oxide (MgO) or a mixture of magnesium oxide (MgO) and calcium oxide (CaO).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process of how to fabricate the microchannel plate consists of: sintering the surfaces of the glass fibres bound to form a bundle of said glass fibers, each consisting of a glass core which can be dissolved by acid and a glass cladding covering said glass core, which cannot be dissolved by acid;   forming a plate-like structure of said glass fiber bundle by slicing said glass fiber bundle along the direction perpendicular to the optical axis thereof;   dipping said structure into an acid solution so as to dissolve said glass cores which can be dissolved by acid;   activating the inner surfaces of said microchannel plate, which are formed by dissolving said glass cores which can be dissolved by acid; and   forming a pair of electrodes at both ends of the plate-like structure;   wherein said glass cladding which cannot be dissolved solved by acid should contain the followings:   ______________________________________                                    
Silicon di-oxide (SiO.sub.2)                                              
                   35 to 50 weight percents                               
Sodium oxide (Na.sub.2 O)                                                 
                   1 to 3 weight percents                                 
Potassium oxide (K.sub.2 O)                                               
                   1 to 5 weight percents                                 
Lithium oxide (Li.sub.2 O)                                                
                   0 to 2 weight percents                                 
Magnesium oxide (MgO)                                                     
                   1 to 5 weight percents                                 
Lead oxide (PbO)   30 to 55 weight percents                               
Zirconium di-oxide (ZrO.sub.2)                                            
                   0.5 to 7 weight percents.                              
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       2. A process of how to fabricate the microchannel plate consisting of: sintering the surfaces of the glass fibers bound to form a bundle of said glass fibers, each consisting of a glass core which can be dissolved by acid and a glass cladding covering said glass core, which cannot be dissolved by acid;   forming a plate-like structure of said glass fiber bundle by slicing said glass fiber bundle along the direction perpendicular to the optical axis thereof;   dipping said structure into an acid solution so as to dissolve said glass cores which can be dissolved by acid;   activating the inner surfaces of said microchannel plate, which are formed by dissolving said glass cores which can be dissolved by acid; and   forming a pair of electrodes at both ends of said plate-like structure;   wherein said glass cladding which cannot be dissolved by acid should contain the followings:   ______________________________________                                    
Silicon di-oxide (SiO.sub.2)                                              
                  35 to 50 weight percents                                
Sodium oxide (Na.sub.2 O)                                                 
                  1 to 3   weight percents                                
Potassium oxide (K.sub.2 O)                                               
                  1 to 5   weight percents                                
Lithium oxide (Li.sub.2 O)                                                
                  0 to 2   weight percents                                
Magnesium oxide (MgO)                                                     
                  1 to 5   weight percents                                
Calcium oxide (CaO)                                                       
                  1 to 5   weight percents                                
Lead oxide (PbO)  30 to 55 weight percents                                
Zirconium di-oxide (ZrO.sub.2)                                            
                  0.5 to 7 weight percents.                               
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